Storage apparatus, particularly with automatic insertion and retrieval

ABSTRACT

A cryogenic storage apparatus comprises a housing with an automatically operated access door. A holder device disposed in the housing supports a plurality of specimen-containing ampules, while a conveyor moves the holder device, together with the plurality of ampules, through cooling fluid in the housing along a path preferably including a snaking portion with vertically extending folds. An inverted L-shaped cooling component with an opened upper side is disposed in the housing for maintaining the cooling fluid at a predetermined low temperature. An extraction mechanism disposed outside of the housing at the access door serves to remove a selectable ampule positioned in the housing in juxtaposition to the door. A tracking device automatically tracks the positions of the ampules during motion thereof along the snaking path, while a control unit connected to the tracking device, the drive mechanism, the conveyor and the extraction mechanism activates the conveyor to move a given ampule along the path to the access door, opens the access door, and operates the extraction mechanism to remove the given ampule from the holder device and out through the opened door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 482,239 filed Feb. 20, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No.5,022,236, which is a divisional of commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 389,543 filed Aug. 4, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No.4,969,336 and a continuation-in-part of commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 455,170 filed Dec. 22, 1989.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage apparatus. More particularly, thisinvention relates to an apparatus with automatic insertion and retrievalof samples from a storage container. More specifically, this inventionrelates to an apparatus for the preservation of biological specimens atvarious temperatures, including but not limited to the temperature ofliquid nitrogen.

When properly treated, biological specimens can be stored almostindefinitely at temperatures approaching that of liquid nitrogen so longas that temperature is maintained. However, once the temperature of aspecimen is raised, especially to a level where thawing occurs, theintegrity of the specimen suffers if the specimen is then refrozen.Conventional devices for storing biological specimens at lowtemperatures are adequate for the storage of a group of samples, but ifone or more sample are removed from the group, other samples may beexposed to thawing temperatures, with a resultant decrease in theviability of the refrozen cells.

In some circumstances, however, it may be desirable to retain theability to retrieve several samples simultaneously, for example, ingroups.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage apparatuswherein specimen-containing vials may be recovered or retrieved one at atime or in multiples, either automatically or manually.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage systemwith cross-checks for ensuring proper retrieval of requested samples.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a storage systemwith means for efficiently and quickly removing all of thespecimen-containing receptacles from a storage unit in case ofmalfunction of that unit.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a storageapparatus wherein specimens are maintained at a substantially constanttemperature, particularly a low temperature at or near the temperatureof liquid nitrogen.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide such anapparatus wherein exposure of the specimens to temperatures above thatof liquid nitrogen, especially thawing temperatures, is prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises ahousing defining a storage chamber, an insertion and removal mechanismoperatively connected to the housing for alternately inserting andremoving specimen-containing receptacles from the storage chamber, and acontrol unit operatively connected to the insertion and removalmechanism for automatically tracking the locations ofspecimen-containing receptacles in the housing and for controlling theinsertion and removal of specimen-containing receptacles from thestorage chamber.

Pursuant to features of the present invention, the housing has an accessdoor and a component such as a drive is operatively connected to thedoor for alternately opening and closing the door. The control unitfurther includes an extraction mechanism disposed outside of the housingat the door for removing a selectable one of the receptacles positionedin the storage chamber in juxtaposition to the door.

Pursuant to further features of the present invention, holders areprovided in the storage chamber for supporting a plurality ofspecimen-containing receptacles and a conveyor is provided for movingthe holders, together with the plurality of receptacles, in the storagechamber along a predetermined path in the storage chamber. Thepredetermined path advantageously includes a snaking portion with aplurality of vertically extending folds and further includes a segmentjuxtaposed to the door.

In accordance with a particular feature of the present invention, atransfer mechanism is operatively connectable to the housing and theconveyor for removing all of the specimen-containing receptacles in asingle operation from the storage chamber into another storageapparatus.

A storage apparatus in accordance with the invention may also comprise aselector such as a keyboard operatively connected to the control unitand disposed outside of the housing for enabling a selection of one ofthe receptacles by an operator.

A storage system in accordance with the invention comprises a pluralityof storage facilities each including:

(a) a housing defining a storage chamber;

(b) an insertion and removal mechanism operatively connected to thehousing for alternately inserting and removing specimen-containingreceptacles from the storage chamber; and

(c) a local control unit at the same location as the housing andoperatively connected to the insertion and removal mechanism forautomatically tracking the locations of specimen-containing receptaclesin the housing and for controlling the insertion and removal ofspecimen-containing receptacles from the storage chamber. A remotecontrol unit is operatively connected to the local control unit of eachof the storage facilities for monitoring the operations thereof and forcross-checking identities of duplicate specimen-containing receptaclesin different ones of the storage facilities.

Each of the storage facilities advantageously includes a verificationdevice at the respective housing for automatically verifying that thecorrect receptacle has been retrieved under the control of therespective local control unit, the remote control unit having meansconnected to the local control unit of each of the storage facilitiesfor receiving verification of a retrieved receptacle and for comparingidentities of receptacles retrieved substantially simultaneously atdifferent ones of the storage facilities. The verification devicepreferably includes a laser reader for scanning bar codes attached tothe receptacles.

Another storage system in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a pair of storage facilities each including:

(a) a housing defining a storage chamber;

(b) an insertion and removal mechanism operatively connected to thehousing for alternately inserting and removing specimen-containingreceptacles from the storage chamber; and

(c) a local control unit at the same location as the housing andoperatively connected to the insertion and removal mechanism forautomatically tracking the locations of specimen-containing receptaclesin the housing and for controlling the insertion an removal ofspecimen-containing receptacles from the storage chamber. A receptacletransfer apparatus is operatively connected to the housing of each ofthe storage facilities and to the conveyor of each of the storagefacilities for removing all of the specimen-containing receptacles in asingle operation from the storage chamber of one of the storagefacilities into the storage chamber of the other of the storagefacilities.

Pursuant to a specific feature of the present invention, each of thestorage facilities further comprises holders or support elements in therespective storage chamber for supporting a plurality ofspecimen-containing receptacles and a conveyor for moving the holders,together with the plurality of receptacles, in the storage chamber alonga predetermined path.

Another apparatus in accordance with the present invention is providedfor transferring specimen-containing receptacles from a first storageunit to a second storage unit, wherein each of the storage unitsincludes a respective housing and specimen conveyor in the housing forholding a multiplicity of the specimen-containing receptacles and movingthe receptacles within the housing. Such a transfer apparatus comprisesa transfer housing, a closure component for connecting that housing tothe housing of each of the storage units so that the transfer housingcommunicates in an essentially air tight manner with the housing of eachof the storage units. A transfer conveyor is operatively connectable tothe conveyor of each of the storage units for moving receptacles fromone of the storage units to the other of the storage units. A drive isoperatively connected to the transfer conveyor for moving thereceptacles from the one storage unit to the other.

According to a specific feature of this embodiment of the invention, theconveyor includes a pair of flexible endless elements extending alongthe path and the holder or support elements include a plurality of barmembers pivotably connected to and extending between the endlesselements.

A storage apparatus in accordance with a particular embodiment of thepresent invention comprises (a) a housing defining a storage chamberwith an access door, (b) a component operatively connected to the doorfor alternately opening and closing the door, (c) holders or supportelements in the storage chamber for supporting a plurality ofspecimen-containing receptacles, (d) a conveyor for moving the holders,together with the plurality of receptacles, in the storage chamber alonga predetermined path including a segment juxtaposed to the door, and (e)an extraction mechanism disposed outside of the housing at the door forremoving a selectable one of the receptacles positioned in the storagechamber in juxtaposition to the door.

The extraction mechanism advantageously includes a carriage membermovably mounted to the housing, a first linear drive for moving thecarriage member, a component for securing a hold on a selected on of thereceptacles positioned in the storage chamber in juxtaposition to thedoor, and second linear drive connected to the holding component formoving the holding component along a substantially linear path throughthe door.

Pursuant to a specific feature of the present invention, the extractionmechanism further includes (a) a housing portion rotatably mounted tothe carriage member, the second linear means being at least partiallymounted to the housing, and (b) rotary mean operatively connected to thehousing portion for rotating same relative to the carriage member.

Pursuant to yet another feature of the present invention, the storageapparatus further comprises a tracking mechanism operatively connectedto the conveyor for automatically tracking the positions of theplurality of receptacles during motion thereof along the path underaction of the conveyor, a selector outside of the housing for enabling aselection of one of the receptacles by an operator, and a control unitoperatively connected to the selector, the tracking mechanism, theconveyor and the extraction mechanism for operating the conveyor, uponselection of a given one of the receptacles via the selector, to movethe given receptacle along the path to the door, for opening the door,and for operating the extraction mechanism to remove the given one ofthe receptacles from the holding component and out through the openeddoor.

Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, an enclosure isprovided outside of the housing and the extraction mechanism removes areceptacle from the storage chamber and inserts the removed receptacleinto the enclosure. The enclosure is preferably attached to the housing.

Pursuant to yet another feature of the invention, a verification deviceis disposed at the door of the storage chamber for automaticallyverifying that the correct receptacle has been retrieved by theextraction mechanism. The verification device preferably includes alaser reader for scanning bar codes attached to the receptacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a cryogenic storage apparatus inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A--A in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail view ("Detail A") of the upper right handcorner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line B--B in FIG.3, showing a lifting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line C--C in FIG.4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D--D in FIG. 2,showing a chain drive gear assembly. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view ofa driving gear opposite a gear shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a partialcross-sectional view taken along line E--E in FIG. 2, illustrating achain tensioning mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the chain tensioning mechanism of FIG.8, taken from the bottom in that drawing figure and, as in FIG. 8,showing in cross-section a portion of a housing of the cryogenic storageapparatus.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line H--H in FIG.6.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takenalong line F--F in FIG. 1, depicting an intermediate storage container.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takenalong line F--F in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a system including a multiplicity ofstorage apparatuses such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-12. FIG. 14 is aschematic cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of two cryogenicstorage apparatuses in accordance with the present invention, showing adevice for transferring specimen-containing ampules from one of thestorage apparatuses to the other.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, ofthe device of FIG. 14 for transferring specimen-containing ampules fromone cryogenic storage apparatus to another.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an ampule cluster according to a specificfeature of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the ampule cluster of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a top view of another ampule cluster according the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cryogenic storage apparatus formaintaining ampules or receptacles 16 at a substantially uniform lowtemperature approximately at the temperature of liquid nitrogencomprises a housing 1 with a lid or cover 2.

Ampules 16 are loaded into and retrieved from housing 1 automaticallyunder the control of a microprocessor or computer CC1 mounted to housing1 on a side wall thereof. The insertion and withdrawal of individualampules is accomplished without exposure of the otherspecimen-containing ampules in housing 1 to ambient room-temperatureair.

The cryogenic storage apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 will storeapproximately 8,000 ampules, each containing a respective specimen orsample.

Housing 1 defines a prismatic storage chamber which can be partially ortotally filled with liquid nitrogen or a low-temperature gas. In thelatter case, the gas is maintained at a low temperature by a minimalamount of liquid nitrogen held in a specially designed container 18(FIG. 2). Container 18 preferably has an L-shaped cross-section withvertically extending leg 18a and a horizontally oriented leg 18bcommunicating with one another. Vertical leg 18a extends parallel andproximate to a side wall 101 of housing 1, while horizontal leg 18b isdisposed near cover or upper wall 2 of the housing. Vertical leg 18a isprovided on one side with a multiplicity of cooling fins which mayengage side wall 101, while horizontal leg 18b is open along an upperside. The shape and location of container 18 are designed to achieve atemperature balance within housing 1 by virtue of radiant andgravitational cooling.

It is to be noted that container 18 may have a modified form whichnevertheless provides the advantages of the L-shape shown in thedrawings. For example, container 18 may be U-shaped, with a pair of legsextending down the sides of housing a and with the bight of the Uextending parallel to the upper wall of the housing. In both of thesespecific configurations, L-shaped or U-shaped, the upper portion of thecoolant container is open to facilitate vaporization of the coolant. Inthe case of a U-shaped coolant container, an opening may be provided inthe base to permit the insertion and removal of sample containingampule.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, pluralities of ampules 16 are held onrespective support bars 4 extending between and pivotably connected attheir ends to a pair of endless conveyor chains 3. As shown in FIG. 2,chains 3 define a travel path 103 for the ampules through the housingchamber, the travel path having a lower snaking portion 105 and an upperportion 107 extending horizontally parallel to cover 2. Snaking portion105 includes a plurality of vertically extending folds 109.

The position of each ampule 16 along path 10 is tracked in part bycomputer CC1. The computer memorizes the positions of all the ampulesand updates the positions continuously during the motion of conveyorchains 3. In response to a selection made by an operator via a keyboard111 (FIG. 1) of computer CC1, the computer controls the movement ofchains 3 to position the selected ampule directly below an access door19 in cover 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The snake-like alternating up and down movements of bars 4 and ampules16 supported thereby contributes to the achievement of a gravitationaltemperature balance throughout the storage unit, in the case thatcoolant container 18 is being utilized.

The processes and devices for storing the liquid nitrogen outsidehousing 1, feeding it to container 18 and insulating housing 1 are wellknown in the art and are not further described herein.

The material of housing 1, container 18 and other components of thecryogenic storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention ifnot specifically set forth elsewhere herein, is preferably stainlesssteel or another substance suitable for long-term exposure to liquidnitrogen.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 11 and 12, the cryogenic storage apparatusis provided with an ampule lifting device 113 comprising a conveyor belt33, pulleys 34 and motors M3 and their supports. The lifting device isparticularly advantageous in the case that the height of housing 1 is sogreat that the ampule, when resting with an insulated enclosure orintermediate storage unit 142, is not easily accessible by an ampuleinsertion and extraction or retrieval mechanism 50 disposed on cover 2.

Motors M1 through M5 are duplex drives, each working motor being pairedwith an auxiliary back-up motor as a safety or precautionary measure. Inthe event that a primary, working motor should fail, the auxiliary motorwill take over automatically and an audio visual signal will begenerated, alerting an operator to initiate immediate maintenance andrepair procedures.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, support bars 4 have U-shaped transversecross-sections. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, ampules 16 rest sideby side on bars 4. Endless conveyor chains 3 are driven by a chain drivemechanism 115 (FIGS. 6 and 7) including sprockets 5 (FIG. 6) and 6 (FIG.7) over idler pulleys 17 (FIGS. 3, 8 and 9) absolutely simultaneouslyalong path 103 at a very low speed through the housing chamber. Bars 4are fastened to chains 3 at spaced locations distanced to enable a freemovement and vertical self-alignment of the bars and the ampules heldthereby.

As depicted in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10, sprockets 5 and 6 of chain drivemechanism 115 are tightened against a spacer 8 by a spindle 7 and aredriven by bevel gears 9 and 10. Bevel gear 10 is rotatably supported viaroller bearings 15 and a distance sleeve 14 in a bearing casing 11.Driving mechanism 115 is sealed by a stuffing box 13 with graphitepacking 117. The bevel gear assembly illustrated in FIG. 6 is designedto be removed an maintained easily and quickly.

Bevel gears 9 and 10 of driving mechanism 115 are powered by a motor M6disposed on the top and rear portion of cover 2. Motor M6 is operativelyconnected to bevel gears 9 and 10 via a toothed belt drive 36 (FIGS. 2and 6).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, each endless conveyor chain 3 ispartially wound over idler pulleys 17 and 17' rotatably mounted to innerframe structure 12 in two linear arrays at the top and the bottom of thehousing. In addition, each conveyor chain 3 is partially wound about afurther idler pulley 17" which serves to define horizontal chain portion107.

Pulleys 17 of the lower rows re rotatably supported on opposite sides ofan inner frame structure 12 by a bearing member 37 engineered tofunction as a chain tensioning device. Two long screws 38 on each sideof frame structure 12 (FIGS. 3, 6, 8 and 9) push the bearing member downto tighten chains 3.

Frame structure 12 rests not on the bottom of housing 1 but is rathersupported from the upper rim of the housing for facilitating adjustmentof bevel gears 9 and 10 (FIG. 10). More particularly, frame 12 issecured to housing 1 via four alignment bolts 48 spaced around theperimeter of the upper rim of the housing. Aligning bolts 48 also aid inthe alignment of cover 2 which is clamped to housing 1 by commerciallyavailable clamping levers 39 (see FIG. 10). Gaskets 40 and 40' aredisposed between frame 12 and housing 1 and are made of graphite orother suitable insulating material.

As shown in FIG. 10, nitrogen container 18 is supported by brackets 41from inner frame structure 12.

The process of depositing an ampule 16 into the cryogenic storageapparatus begins with the entry, into computer CC1 via keyboard 111, ofa code number pre-assigned to the desired position of the ampule in thesnaking array of support bars 4. Computer CC1 will compare the enterednumber with the numbers already in memory and verify the availability ofthe selected location. The code numbering system may simply take theform of a first set of consecutive numerals for successive bars 4 and asecond set of consecutive numerals for adjacent ampule locations along abar.

A tracking system is advantageously provided, exemplarily comprisingcomputer CC1, together with an impulse module (not illustrated) on adriving shaft together with a decoder (not shown), both of which arecommonly available. The decoder is operatively connected to computer CC1for feeding thereto changes in the positions of endless conveyor chains3, whereby the computer is at any time able to precisely locate theposition of a given bar along path 103 within housing 1. Upon theselection of a particular ampule location (i.e., a specific bar 4 and aspecific distance from one end of the bar), computer CC1 calculates theshortest direction of motion of chains 3 from the instantaneous positionof the selected bar to access door 19 (FIG. 2) and will reverse thedirection of chain drive, if necessary to minimize the search time.

Further initial steps in the deposition of a specimen-containing ampule16 in the cryogenic storage apparatus include the pivoting of aninsulated cover member 42 of intermediate storage unit 142 from a closedposition, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 11, to an open position,shown in dot-dash lines. The ampule is then placed on a bracket member35 attached to conveyor belt 33, cover member 42 being subsequentlyreturned to the closed position. The ampule is now located temporarilyinside a narrow insulated space of intermediate storage unit 142,enclosed by cover member 42 and by a spring loaded flap 43.

Upon placement of the ampule on bracket 35 (FIG. 11), a microswitch S1signals computer CC1 that the ampule is ready to be deposited into thecryogenic storage apparatus. Computer activates lifting device 113 uponthe arrival of the selected bar 4 precisely under door 19, which isclosed at that stage of the ampule loading process. The activation oflifting device 113 consists in part of an energization of one of twomotors M3 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) to drive conveyor belt 33 over pulleys34 and thereby lift the ampule out from temporary storage insideintermediate storage unit 142 to a height determined by the location ofa microswitch S7 (FIG. 3). Upon receiving a signal from microswitch S7,computer CC1 de-energizes the active motor M3, thereby halting theupward motion of the ampule.

While the ampule is being lifted from intermediate storage unit 142,ampule insertion and retrieval mechanism 50 is moved into a "zero"position, guided by dovetailed slide tracks 22 and 23 (FIG. 3) with abuilt-in gear track. Mechanism 50 is driven by a motor M1.

Motors M1, M2 and M4, switches S3, S4 and S6 and electromagnet 29 (FIG.3) are supplied with power via a flat cable 49 (FIG. 1) extending fromcomputer CC1 to ampule insertion and retrieval mechanism 50. Slidecontacts 27 on a contact support 30 enable the transmission ofelectrical power to the motors, switches and electromagnet 29 of theampule insertion and retrieval mechanism 50, even during rotation of anupper housing portion 25 thereof with respect to cover 2 of housing 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, electromagnet 29 is attached to a lower end ofa spindle or rod 28 reciprocatingly driven by motor M4 via a belt 31 andgrip rollers 44. Upon the reception of a signal from microswitch S7 andthe subsequent arresting of conveyor belt 33, computer CC1 energizesmotor M4 to shift rod 28 downwardly. Upon receiving a signal frommicroswitch S3, computer CC1 then deactivates motor M4, bringing thedownward motion of rod 28 to a stop and energizes electromagnet 29 toform a magnetic link with a metal plate attached to the upper end of theampule 16 held at the height of microswitch S7 by lifting device 113.The attachment of the metal plate on the ampule to the electromagnetcloses a contact within the magnet, causing computer CC1 to againenergize motor M4, this time in the reverse direction, to lift rod 28,together with the attached ampule. Upward motion of rod 28 is stopped bycomputer CC1 upon the reception thereby of a signal from microswitch S4.

As further depicted in FIG. 3, small magnets 32 are recessed intodovetailed side track or rail member 23 precisely at the location of theampules on bars 4 within housing 1. Depending on the designated locationat which the ampule carried by insertion and retrieval mechanism 50 isto be placed, microswitch S2 induces computer CC1 to stop motor M1 andto activate two motors M5 (each of which is a member of a pair, anactive motor and a backup). The activated motors M5 are located atopposite ends of access door 19, which extends substantially across thewidth of cover 2.

Motors M5 rotate respective pinions 21 which in turn translaterespective racks 20 secured to door 19, whereby door 19 slides along asloped surface 119 (FIG. 3) of cover 2 and opens access to the interiorof housing 1. Door 19 is pushed against sloped surface 119 by rollers 45which apply a torque to racks 20 and, consequently, wedge-shaped door119 under the action of a lever arm 46 and an adjustable weight 47. Door19 is self-aligning and self-sealing due to its-wedge-shaped crosssection.

After microswitch S5 of the door opening and closing mechanism signalscomputer CC1 that door 19 has been opened, the computer stops motor M5and also causes motor M2 of insertion and retrieval mechanism 50 torotate upper housing portion 25 of the insertion and retrieval mechanism180° around with the help of a ring gear which is part of dovetailedsliding carriage 21.

Two projecting pins 26 (FIGS. 3 and 5) connected to an inner surface ofupper housing portion 25 of insertion and retrieval mechanism 50cooperate with a microswitch S6 mounted to a sliding carriage member 24of the insertion and retrieval mechanism to signal computer CC1 thatrotation of 180° has been accomplished. The computer then deactivatesmotor M2 and simultaneously energizes motor M4 to lower rod 28, togetherwith the ampule through the opened access door 19 and into the coolingchamber of the cryogenic storage apparatus.

Upon removal of an ampule from the cryogenic storage apparatus, a laserreader reads a bar code attached to the removed ampule to verify thatthe correct ampule has been retrieved. The bar code includes at leastthe name of the individual and an identification number, such as asocial security number. The laser reader is capable of operating in aspeed scanning or accelerated mode, which is particularly advantageousin the event that large number of ampules or speciments are beingretrieved from the storage apparatus within a brief period of time.

The operation of the laser reader may be controlled by computer CC1. Thecomputer may also be connected to a printer or other hard-copy outputdevice so that, upon verification that the removed ampule is correct, aprinted copy of various recorded statistics pertaining to the storedspecimen ma be transported with the ampule.

In the absence of verification, the retrieved ampule is returnedimmediately to housing 1 and an alarm signal is generated for alertingan operator as to the error. In addition, or alternatively, analphanumeric code identifying the retrieved ampule may be displayed on amonitor connected to computer CC1. If verification occurs, the removalof the ampule proceeds normally.

Microswitch S3 then induces computer CC1 to stop motor M4 and thedownward motion of rod 28 and to de-activate electromagnet 29, therebyenabling the deposition of the ampule into an aperture in the selectedbar 4 at the selected position therealong. Opened contacts withinelectromagnet 29 then cause computer CC1 to lift rod 28 out of thehousing through door 19. A subsequent signal from microswitch S4 leadsto the arresting of the upward motion of the rod and causes computer CC1to activate motors M5 to close door 19 and motor M6 to recommencecontinuous motion of bars 4 and their ampules 16 along path 103 throughhousing 1.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, insertion and retrieval mechanism50 includes dovetailed rail member 24 which is operatively fastened tocover 2 of housing 1 and extends parallel to door 19. Carriage 24 isslidably mounted to rail member 24 for motion therealong. Motor Ml (orits normally inactive backup) serves to move the carriage 24 along railmember 24 via a rack and pinion transmission assembly. Under the controlof computer CC1, electromagnet 29 is raised and lowered by rod 28 tosecure a hold on a selected ampule 16 positioned in housing 1 injuxtaposition to door 19. Motors M4 serve to move rod 28 andelectromagnet 29 a linear path through door 19. Upper housing portion 25is rotatably mounted to carriage member 24, while motors M4 are mountedto housing portion 25. Rotary drive motors M2 (FIG. 4) are operativelyconnected to the rotatable housing portion for rotating the samerelative to carriage member 24.

As depicted in FIG. 13, a storage system comprises a multiplicity ofindividual storage units SU1, SU2, SU3 . . . SUj . . . SUn possiblydisposed at widely spaced locations. Each such storage unit is connectedto a respective control microprocessor or computer MP1, MP2, MP3 . . .MPj . . . MPn disposed at the same location as the storage unit. Eachstorage unit SU1-SUn and its associated local microprocessor MP1-MPn maybe essentially identical to the cryogenic storage apparatus describedhereinabove with reference to FIGS. 1--12. Microprocessors MP1-MPn areconnected via respective bidirectional lines to a remotely locatedcentral computer CCM.

Central computer CCM performs a monitoring and alert function. It iscontemplated that specimens are subject to duplicate storage, eachspecimen having at least one essentially identical counterpart stored ina different one of the storage units UN1-UNn. Upon the receipt of arequest for the specimen, each storage unit SU1-SUn containing one ofthe duplicate sample retrieves the respective sample under the controlof its respective microprocessor MP1-MPn. As the samples are removedfrom the cryogenic storage chambers of units SU1-SUn, the bar codeverification devices of those storage units cooperate with therespective microprocessors MP1-MPn to verify that the retrieved ampulecorresponds to the requested specimen. The results of that verificationstep, including the identities of the retrieve samples, are communicatedto central processor CCM. The central processor then checks that theretrieved samples are in fact duplicate samples. In the event that thecheck yields a difference between the retrieved samples, a signal istransmitted to the respective microprocessors MP1-MPn for alertingoperating and maintenance personnel as to a possible malfunction. Oncethe cross-check is verified by central computer CCM, the computer maythen instruct microprocessors MP1-MPn as to which of the retrievedsamples are to be transported in response to the specimen request.

In the event that a malfunction occurs in a cryogenic storage unit 202(FIGS. 14 and 15) such as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS.1-12, specimen-containing ampules 16 stored in the malfunctioning unitare quickly and automatically transferred therefrom to another cryogenicstorage unit 204 which is structurally similar to the first unit. Theautomatic transfer of the ampules is effectuated via a transferapparatus 206.

As shown in FIG. 14, transfer apparatus 206 is connected on oppositesides to storage units 202 and 204. Each storage unit 202 and 204 isprovided on a front side with a slidably removable or shiftable door 208and 210 and a resilient rib 212 and 214 perimetrally surrounding therespective door opening. Transfer apparatus 206 includes a four sidedhousing 216 which engages ribs 212 and 214 in an essentially fluid-tightfit.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, transfer apparatus 206 comprises four pairsof cars 218a, 218b and 220a, 220b (only two pairs visible in thedrawing) movably mounted to rails 222 and 224. Each car 218a, 218b,220a, 220b includes a jaw mechanism 226 and a roller 228. The operationsof cars 218a, 218b, 220a, 220b, including their motions along tracks orrails 222 and 224, as well as the opening and closing of jaw mechanisms226, are controlled by a microprocessor 230, which may be either of thecomputers CC1' or CC1" of storage units 202 and 204. Transfer apparatus206 further includes eight pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 232a, 232b,232c, 232d (only four shown in the drawing) each carrying a respectiveroller 234a, 234b, 234c, 234d at the free end of its plunger. Inaddition, at the onset of a transfer operation, on each of two oppositesides of housing 216, two chain segments 236 and 238 extend overrespective pluralities of rollers 240 and 242. Each chain segment 236and 238 is gripped at its opposite ends by the jaw mechanisms 226 ofrespective cars 218a, 218b and 220a, 220b.

Upon the disposition of transfer apparatus 206 between storage units 202and 204, microprocessor 230 actuates valves 244 (connected to pressuresource 246) to cause cylinders 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d to extend theirplungers so that rollers 234a, 234b, 234c, 234d are in contact withchains 3' and 3" of storage units 202 and 204. In addition, cars 218band 220b are moved along rails 222 and 224 so that jaw mechanisms 226are able to attach the free ends of chain segments 236 and 238 to chain3". Upon that attachment, microprocessor 230 shifts cars 218a, 218b,220a and 220b towards storage unit 202 to enable the attachment of theother ends of chain segments 236 and 238 to chain 3'. Upon the securingof both ends of chain segments 236 and 238 to chains 3' and 3", chains3' and 3" are severed by cutting devices 248 and 250 at points betweenthe ends of chain segments 236 and 238. Microprocessor 230 thenenergizes one or both motors M6' and M6" of storage units 202 and 204 tomove ampule-holding chains 3' and 3" between storage units 202 and 204,thereby transferring all the ampules stored in one unit 202 to the otherunit 204.

Upon completion of the transfer, a pair of combination joining andsevering devices 252 and 254 (FIG. 14) are activated by microprocessor230 to reattach chain 3', now in storage unit 204. Door 210 is thenclosed and transfer apparatus 206 separated from storage units 202 and204.

It is to be noted that devices 252 and 254 may be incorporated into cars218a, 218b, 220a and 220b. In addition, computers CC1' and CC1" may beprogrammed to track the location of a predetermined severing point alongchains 3' and 3". That severing point may be provided with a clasp orlatch (not illustrated) which is unlocked rather than cut at the onsetof a transfer operation. Similarly, the reattachment of chain 3' bydevices 252 and 254 may be effectuated by application of a clasp todifferent portions of the chain juxtaposed by the joining and severingdevices 252 and 254.

It is to be noted that other ampule transfer devices may be constructedin accordance with the principles of the invention. For example, theampules may be removed from the upper end of a malfunctioning storageapparatus, rather than from the lower end as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,by a transfer apparatus essentially identical in structure and functionto that shown in those drawing figures. In such a case, the transferapparatus would operate where the storage medium is a liquid such asliquid nitrogen, as well as where the storage medium is low-temperaturenitrogen vapor or another gas.

As depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17, a cluster ampule assembly 302 includes astar-shaped holder 304 with a central node element 305 and fiveradiating arms or spokes 306 each provided at an outer end with a ring308. Seatable in each ring 308 is a respective ampule 310 having anannular flange 312 at an upper end and a magnetic cap 314. Node element305 is provided with a carrier ring 316 for enabling removal of theentire ampule cluster through a doorway in a cryogenic storage unit suchas that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, holder 304 isprovided on the underside of node element 305 with a lug 318 forinsertion into a hole or recess (not illustrated) in a support bar 4(see FIG. 5).

FIG. 18 shows another cluster ampule assembly 322 includes a holder 324with a central node element 325 and a three radiating arms or spokes 326each provided at an outer end with a ring 328. Node element 325 has acarrier ring 336 on an upper side for enabling insertion and removal ofthe entire ampule cluster through a doorway in a cryogenic storage unit.

In use, five samples of the same specimen are placed in the five ampules310, which are then stored in the cluster assembly 302 in a cryogenicstorage apparatus pursuant to the invention. If two samples arerequested, two ampules 310 are removed and the other three aretransferred to a three-ring holder 324 and then returned to thecryogenic storage apparatus. Of course, four-ring and two-ring holdersmay also be provided.

Although a storage apparatus, facility or system in accordance with theinvention may be used to store virtually any item which is not of aprohibitively large size, such an apparatus, facility or system isparticularly well suited to storing umbilical cords and/or umbilicalcord segments for uses described in commonly owned copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 455,170 filed Dec. 22, 1989, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

As discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 455,170, umbilicalcords from infants born within a prescribed territory (a city, county,state or an entire country) are sectioned, preserved and stored. Alsostored is information pertaining to each individual such as the infant'sname, birth statistics and any pertinent information as to geneticpredisposition to certain diseases. Pursuant to the instant invention,this information is stored in computer CC1 or local microprocessors MP1,MP2 . . . MPj . . . MPn and can be additionally transmitted to centralcomputer CCM.

As further discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 455,170, thepreserved umbilical cords or portions thereof are subsequently madeavailable for medical identification, research purposes or therapeutictreatment upon proper request.

Specifically, upon the birth of an infant, its umbilical cord is severedinto one or more segments. The severing may be accomplished by any knowntechnique. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,401 to Philip D.Mattson, the disclosure which is incorporated by reference herein. Apreferred apparatus and technique is disclosed in commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 471,084 filed Jan. 26, 1990, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Upon or prior to the severing of an umbilical cord segment, the ends ofthe segment are closed to retain all biological materials containedwithin the umbilical cord. The closure may be accomplished by tying orwith synthetic resin end caps or other clamps or staples (see U.S. Ser.No. 471,084), or otherwise sealed. The closure procedure is implementedon a free end of the umbilical cord segment while that end is clamped bya hemostat or other instrument. In an alternative procedure, the ends ofan umbilical cord are dipped into a cryogenic bath to close the ends byfreezing.

As discussed in both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 455,170 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 471,084, the umbilical cord segments may bewashed, preferably prior to sectioning of the cord to minimize the lossof umbilical cord blood. Alternatively, each segment may be washedsubsequently to the sealing of the ends.

Upon the sectioning of an umbilical cord and the closing of the segmentends, each segment is then preserved preferably by immersion in acryogenic coolant such as liquified nitrogen. Alternatively, a sealedumbilical cord section is first placed in a suitable thin walledcontainer such as a polyethylene bag or vial, as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 471,084. The container is then immersed in alow-temperature fluid. Such a fluid may take the form of liquidnitrogen, liquid carbon dioxide or a chlorofluorocarbon mixture such asthose described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,842 to Coehlo, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

The umbilical cord segments may also be preserved by other techniques,such as freeze drying. Freeze-drying is generally not preferred becauseof the effects of the freeze-drying process on structures of variousbiological components such as cell membranes. However, inasmuch ascertain biochemical components such as DNA, RNA and various proteins maybe stored intact by a freeze-drying technique, preservation of at leaston segment of each umbilical cord by freeze-drying may be useful.

A particular technique for preserving liposomes is disclosed inpublished PCT Application No. PCT/US85/01502, Publication No. WO86/01103. Liposome preparations are dehydrated under reduced pressure inthe presence of one or more sugars, preferably the disaccharidestrehalose and sucrose. The amounts of the sugars used depends on thetype of sugar and on the characteristics of the liposomes to beprotected. Freezing of the liposomes prior to dehydration is optional.

In an additional series of steps, various constituents, for example,blood and endothelial vein cells, of an umbilical cord are isolated froman umbilical cord sample at the birth of an infant. The blood may beaspirated from an umbilical cord or segment by an apparatus andtechnique disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 471,084. Theconstituents are analyzed and typed according to known methods. Forexample, the blood type, the blood protein concentrations, thekaryotype, the HLA and other factors are all determined and recorded.These umbilical cord parameters are included in the general statisticalinformation pertaining to the personal history of the individualincluding his or her name, parentage, birth date, weight, sex, etc.,which is generally collected by a health care institution such as ahospital. Further personal history information preferably includesgenetic history information pertaining, for example, to thepredisposition of the individual to certain diseases.

Upon the umbilityping of the contents of the umbilical cord of anew-born infant, as described hereinabove, the umbilificationinformation is transmitted, together with the personal historystatistics, to an information storage facility, such as central computerCCM and/or any of the local microprocessors or computers MP1-MPn. Theinformation is preferably encode in digital form and is transmitted viaa communications link (telephone, wireless, satellite) to the storagefacility.

Each microprocessor or computer MP1-MPn is a information repositorycontaining all the umbilification and personal history information forall individuals born after a certain date in the prescribed area (ahospital, a city, a county, several counties, a state, several states oran entire country). The stored information includes, for each parcel ofumbilification and personal history information, the location of theindividual's umbilical cord segment or segments.

Umbilification and personal history (including genetic history)information for all individuals born in a larger geographical area, suchas several countries or even the entire world may be stored in centralcomputer CCM. That computer, as well as the local microprocessors orcomputers MP1-MPn, are provided with programming for implementing theorganization of the umbilification and personal/genetic information intocategories or types each relevant to a particular use of the storedumbilical cord materials. One such categorization, for example, would beinto bone marrow and/or stem cell types. The categorization would bebased not only by blood type but also on ethnic background since it hasbeen determined that bone marrow from a donor of the same ethnicbackground as the recipient has a better chance of successfulimplantation, without rejection, than marrow from a donor of a differentethnic background than the recipient. The categorization would befurther refined by other information, including genetic composition,obtained from analysis of the umbilical cord materials.

Upon freezing of an umbilical cord segment, the segment is conveyed to acryogenic storage unit SU1-SUn which contains umbilical cord segmentsfor all individuals born after the prescribed date in the prescribedlocale.

It is contemplated that several umbilical cord segments for each newbornindividual are prepared and transferred to a cryogenic storage unitSU1-SUn for future utilization under different circumstances. As aprecaution, it is recommended that one or more segments for eachindividual are sent to a second, back-up facility essentiallyduplicating the umbilical cord and information contents of the firstcryogenic/information storage facility.

Umbilical cord segments are maintained in a cryopreserved orfreeze-dried state at a cryogenic storage facility for an indefiniteperiod. The facility receives requests for items stored at the facility.Upon receiving a request for a deposited stored umbilical cord segment,that segment is retrieved from storage and conveyed at least in part toanother location.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that the umbilical cordsegments may remain viable for a limited period of time depending on theparticular preservation and storage techniques being used. In thatevent, local computers MP1-MPn and central computer CCM are providedwith the preservation and/or birth dates of the umbilical cords. Thecomputers then keep continuous track of the storage periods (age data)for all the stored segments and periodically, for example, daily orweekly, via a printer or other peripheral output device, provide tooperating personnel information regarding which umbilical segments areapproaching the end of their viability period. The operators may thenmake a decision to retrieve any deteriorating umbilical cord specimensand, for example, send them to scientists and doctors for researchpurposes.

The information may be communicated to the operating personnel, e.g.,via a printer or monitor, automatically and on a periodic basis, asdiscussed above, or in response to requests from the operators. Ineither event, the information may include any of the stored information,including the family lineage. This information may be provided by thecentral computer CCM to operating personnel at the associated centralfacility, as well.

Computers MP1-MPn are programmed to track the stored umbilical cordsegments by type, for example, by blood type, DNA composition andlineage or geneology. Thus, in the event that a request is received forumbilical cord blood of a particular type, the computer can quicklylocate and retrieve the umbilical cord specimens having blood of therequested type.

Moreover, computers MPl-MPn are able to physically move the specimensrelative to one another, i.e., to change their storage locations in therespective storage units SU1-SUn, whereby all specimens of the same type(e.g., same blood type, genetic composition or lineage) are stored inthe same neighborhood within the storage chamber of the storage unit. Tothat end, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 19, a storage apparatus402 with a housing 404 defining a storage chamber 406 and a conveyorassembly 408 for moving along a predetermined path 409 ampules 410containing umbilical cord specimens (not separately illustrated)includes a transfer mechanism 412 inside chamber 406 for transferringampules from the conveyor assembly to a fixed temporary storage rack 414and back to the conveyor assembly after the conveyor has moved apredetermined distance under the control of a microprocessor or computerCC2.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, a storage apparatus 402 in accordance withthe invention may be provided inside housing 404 with a laser or othermarking device 416 connected to microprocessor or computer CC2 foradding information, in response to signals from the microprocessor orcomputer, to the bar codes on selected ampules. Computer CC2 isconnected to conveyor assembly 408, as described hereinabove withrespect to computer CC1 and FIGS. 1-12. Computer CC2 can arrest theoperation of conveyor assembly 408 in order to stop a selected ampule inthe region of laser marking device 416. An ampule rotator 418 is alsoprovided in housing 404 for engaging the selected ampules and turningthem about a vertical axis so that laser marking device 416 can applyannular marks of precalculated widths to the selected ampules. Lasermarking device 416 and ampule rotator 418 may be shiftably mounted torails or tracks (not illustrated) in the same manner as insertion andretrieval mechanism 50 (FIG. 3) is mounted to rail 23 so that themarking device and the rotator may be moved parallel to the support bars(4 in FIGS. 1 and 3).

Umbilical cords and/or umbilical cord segments and/or other organs suchas kidneys, spleens or livers or portions thereof may be stored inapparatus 402 independently, that is, without vials or ampules 410. Inthat event, the various umbilical cords or organs may be suspended byhooks or clamps from the support bars (4 in FIGS. 1 and 3). In addition,laser marking device 416 may apply a bar code or other informationencoding marks directly to the outer surface of the organ. In the casethat marking device 416 comprises a laser, the marking is accomplishedthrough a burning technique. Alternatively, the marking device may takethe form of an injection mechanism for depositing a biologically inertdye or ink immediately below the outer surface of the organ (as in thetattooing arts).

As illustrated in FIG. 19, housing 404 may be provided with anotheraccess door for enabling the simultaneous removal of several specimensfrom the storage chamber 406.

In the event that the cluster ampule assemblies of FIGS. 16-18 are used,the doorway accessing storage chamber 406 is, of course, large enough toenable the insertion and removal of the largest ampule cluster assembly(whether five or more ampules). In addition, the distance between thevertically oriented folds of path 409 is large enough to accommodate theincreased width of the ampule clusters.

As further discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 455,170,several uses of consitutent parts of umbilical cords are already known.It is known, for example, that umbilical cord blood includeshematopoietic stem and multipotential (CFU-GEMM), crythroid (BFU-E), andgranulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitor cells utilizable inhematopoietic reconstitution as an alternative to bone marrowtransplantation. See, e.g., "Human umbilical cord blood as a PotentialSource of Transplantable Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells" by Hal E.Broxmeyer et al., Proceedings, National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 86,pp. 3828-32 (1989), which is incorporated by reference herein, andreferences cited in the article. Broxmeyer et al. noted that umbilicalcord blood contains numbers of CFU-GM cells well within the range ofbone marrow CFU-GM cells that have been associated with successfulautologous and major histocompatibility complex-matched allogenic bonemarrow transplantation. The conclusion to be drawn from that study isthat cells from human umbilical cord blood from a single individual aresufficient for autologous reconstitution and for majorhistocompatibility complex-matched allogenic hematopoieticreconstitution.

In a recent clinical study described in the article, incorporated byreference herein, "Hematopoietic Reconstitution in a Patient WithFanconi's Anemia by Means of umbilical cord blood From an HLA-IdenticalSibling," by Elaine Gluckman et al., New England Journal of Medicine,Vol. 321, No. 17, pp. 1174-78 (Oct. 26, 1989), a five year-old boyhaving classic symptoms and malformations of Fanconi's anemia receivedcryopreserved umbilical cord blood, isolated from the umbilical cordprior to freezing, from a sister shown to be unaffected by the disorder,to have a normal karyotype, and to be HLA-identical to the patient.After a pretreatment including the oral administration nonabsorbableantibiotics and of cyclophosphamide for pretransplantation conditioningand further including the application of irradiation to thethoracoabdominal region by a linear accelerator, cryopreserved umbilicalcord blood was thawed and infused into the patient without furtherprocessing. The blood had been obtained from the sister's umbilical cordand the placenta and transported at ambient temperature by overnightcourier to a laboratory for analysis, cryopreservation and storage. Theblood was frozen in dimethyl sulfide at a final concentration of 10percent. Upon thawing of the umbilical cord blood, it was found thateighty-two percent of the nucleated cells were viable. As suggested bythe Gluckman et al. article, other conditions for which bone marrowtransplant is indicated may be treated with the use of cord blood.

Accordingly, blood from cyropreserved umbilical cord segments may beused, in accordance with the invention, in bone marrow reconstitution.Upon a blood typing of the patient, in which specific values ofumbilityping parameters are determined for that individual, thedetermined umbilification information is transmitted to the informationrepository, where it is compared with the digitally stored blood typeand other information pertinent to stored umbilical cord segments. Upondetecting a match, the corresponding umbilical cord segment istransferred in cryopreserved state to the requesting health careinstitution.

In a method for therapeutically treating a patient, at least a portionof a preserved umbilical cord segment is received from a storagefacility upon following the procedure set forth above. A biologicalsample or component is then isolated from the umbilical cord segment andis used to treat the patient. The umbilical cord segment is warmed priorto the isolation or extraction of the desired molecule, cell, tissue ororgan portion.

If the isolated or extracted component takes the form, for example, of astem cell from the umbilical cord blood, the cell is the infused intothe body of the patient with other stem cells and possibly progenitorcells from the same umbilical cord segment and from other umbilical cordsegments whose specific unbilification parameters match theumbilification parameters determined for the patient. Such an allogenichematopoietic reconstitution can be implemented after the preservation,umbilityping and storage of several millions of umbilical cord segments.

In an alternative procedure for an allogenic hematopoieticreconstitution, the stem cells from one matched umbilical cord segmentare replicated in vitro and subsequently injected into the patient. Amethod for replicating bone marrow samples is described in U.S. Pat. No.4,721,096 to Naughton et al., pertinent portions of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein. In that patent, the bone marrow sampleis obtained from a bone or bones of a donor. Pursuant to the invention,bone marrow cells (stem cells, progenitor cells) are obtained from oneor more preserved umbilical cord segments.

It is also within the contemplation of the instant invention that anautologous hematopoietic reconstitution can be effectuated upon in vitroreplication of stem cells obtained from a preserved specimen of thepatient's own umbilical cord. Of course, in any hematopoieticreconstitution technique involving replication of the required cells,only a small segment of a single umbilical cord is needed.

It is to be noted that a program of storing umbilical cord segments forall individuals born after a prescribed date within a predeterminedgeographical area provides a bank or repository of human molecular,cellular, tissue and organic components for research and therapeuticpurposes. This repository shall become increasingly valuable as moretechniques are developed for isolation and use of various umbilical cordcomponents. In addition, a store of biological and personal historyinformation is provided for us with the preserved umbilical cordsegments.

Umbilification technology in accordance with the present invention shallprovide a repository of raw material for research into diseasesaffecting entire groups of people, for example, sickle-cell anemia orTay-Sachs disease. This technology will also enable the tracing ofchanges in genetic compositions of families giving rise to apredisposition to such afflications as cancer. In addition, changes ingenetic make-up due, for example, to radioactive fall-out from a nuclearcatastrophe or accident can be traced from umbilical cord segments andassociated information for all the people born in the area of theaccident.

It is to be noted that the bank or repository of human molecular,cellular, tissue and organic components for research and therapeuticpurposes is built from material (umbilical cord segments) which couldotherwise be discarded after the infants' births. The bank or repositoryis thus implemented without any invasive surgery or other invasiveextraction techniques.

A method in which umbilical cord sections are cryopreserved inaccordance with the present invention would have utility even if thevarious cells in the umbilical cord, including blood cells andendothelial vein cells, were not found in a particular instance to beviable in sufficient numbers. It is known that DNA may be cryopreservedfor a significant period. As mentioned above, Vivigen, Inc., a companyin Santa Fe, New Mexico, has announced its readiness to cryogenicallystore DNA and RNA for medical and research purposes. Pursuant to thepresent invention, the DNA and/or RNA in a cryopreserved umbilical cordsection may be used to identify or confirm the identity of an individualwho is, for example, unconscious from an accident or a disease or whorefuses to provide proof of his identity. The comparative analysis ofthe individual's genetic material with the genetic material of anumbilical cord section, performed by known techniques, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,772,549 and 4,861,708 to Philippe M.Frossard, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein,may be supplemented by blood typing and other histological, cellular andmolecular assay techniques.

Accordingly, in a method for identifying a person, a preserved umbilicalcord segment is received from a storage facility, while informationrecorded at the birth of an infant attached to an umbilical cord fromwhich said umbilical cord segment was severed and subsequently preservedis also received. The recorded information includes statisticspertaining to the newborn and his or her birth, together with anidentification of the preserved umbilical cord segment. In a furtherstep, biological material of a type to be found in umbilical cords(genetic material, blood including stem cells, etc.) is isolated andextracted from an individual to be identified and analyzed to determinea plurality of predetermined umbilification parameters. The determinedvalues of the predetermined parameters are then compared with thereceived information to determine whether the individual to beidentified is the same person a the infant from which the preservedumbilical cord was obtained. As described hereinabove, the parametersused for the identification process may include blood type andcomposition of genetic materials. More specifically, in the latterinstance, the step of isolating includes the steps of separating out anddetermining the composition of genetic material from cells of theindividual to be identified, the step of comparing including thecomparison of that separated-out genetic material with material fromcellular bodies in an frozen umbilical cord segment. This method isessentially set forth in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,772,549 and4,861,708 to Philippe M. Frossard.

It is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that asfurther techniques become developed and known techniques perfected forisolating, identifying and replicating molecular, cellular and othercomponents of umbilical cords, the preserved umbilical cord segments maybe taken out of storage and analyzed by the new techniques. Upondetermination of the value of a plurality of such biochemical orhistological parameters, those values, properly encoded, are stored in acomputer together with the personal history and other informationrecorded at the birth of the respective individual from which theumbilical cord segment was severed and subsequently preserved. As statedabove, the personal history information includes statistics pertainingto the individual and the individual's birth, together with anidentification of the preserved umbilical cord segment.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modificationswithout departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of theclaimed invention. For example, although a storage apparatus asparticularly described herein utilizes liquid nitrogen and/or nitrogenvapor for maintaining the storage chamber at cryogenic temperatures, theprinciples of the instant invention, such as automatic retrieval andinsertion of specimen-containing ampules, computer tracking, and barcode verification, can be used in refrigeration units which operate atmore conventional temperatures or in storage units operating at elevatedtemperatures. In addition, the principle of the bar code verificationdevice, namely, automatic identification of the ampules as they arebeing retrieved from a storage apparatus, may be implemented withreaders other than laser scanners and identification labels other thanbar codes. For example, reading may be implemented magnetically,acoustically or photographically. Furthermore, the printer to which thelocal computers or microprocessors are connected may be used to producehard copies of umbilical cord data (umbilification information)independently of whether the corresponding umbilical cord segment(s) isbeing maintained in storage or has been taken out of storage.Alternatively or additionally, the umbilical cord data may betransmitted electronically to the remote computer (CCM) or to otherlocal computers or microprocessors for display on terminal screens orprint out at those locations.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptionsherein are preferred by way of example to facilitate comprehension ofthe invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage apparatus comprising:housing means fordefining a storage chamber, said housing having an access door; meansoperatively connected to said door for alternately opening and closingsame; holder means in said chamber for supporting a plurality ofspecimen-containing receptacles; conveyor means for moving said holdermeans, together with said plurality of receptacles, in said chamberalong a path including a snaking portion, said snaking portion having aplurality of vertically extending folds, said path including a segmentjuxtaposed to said door, said conveyor means including a pair offlexible endless elements extending along said path, said holder meansincluding a plurality of bar members pivotably connected to andextending between said endless elements; tracking means operativelyconnected to said conveyor means for automatically tracking thepositions of said plurality of receptacles during motion thereof alongsaid path under action of said conveyor means; extraction means disposedoutside of said housing means at said door for removing a selectable oneof said receptacles positioned in said chamber in juxtaposition to saiddoor; selection means outside of said housing means for enabling aselection of one of said receptacles by an operator; and control meansoperatively connected to said selection means, said tracking means, saidmean, said conveyor means and said extraction means for operating saidconveyor means, upon selection of a given one of said receptacles viasaid selection means, to move said given one of said receptacles alongsaid path to said door, for operating said mean to open said door, foroperating said extraction means to remove said given one of saidreceptacles from said holder means and out through the opened door. 2.The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises acomputer.
 3. A storage apparatus comprising:housing means for defining astorage chamber, said housing means having an access door; holder meansin said chamber for supporting a plurality of specimens; conveyor meansfor moving said holder means, together with said plurality of specimens,in said chamber along a predetermined path including a segmentjuxtaposed to said door; tracking means operatively connected to saidconveyor means for automatically tracking the position of each of saidspecimens during motion thereof along said path under action of saidconveyor means; and extraction means disposed outside of said housingmeans at said door for removing a selectable one of said specimenspositioned in said chamber in juxtaposition to said door by saidconveyor means.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said pathincludes a snaking portion with a plurality of folds.
 5. The apparatusdefined in claim 3 wherein said extraction means includes:a carriagemember movably mounted to said housing means; first drive means formoving said carriage member relative to said door; holding means forsecuring a hold on a selected one of said specimens positioned in saidchamber in juxtaposition to said door; second drive means connected tosaid holding means for moving said holding means relative to saidcarriage member and through said door.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim5 wherein said extraction means further includes (a) a housing portionrotatably mounted to said carriage member, said second drive means beingat least partially mounted to said housing, and (b) rotary meanoperatively connected to said housing portion for rotating same relativeto said carriage member.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 3, furthercomprising:selection means outside of said housing means for enabling aselection of one of said specimens by an operator; and control meansoperatively connected to said selection means, said tracking means, saidconveyor means and said extraction means for operating said conveyormeans, upon selection of a given one of said specimens via saidselection means, to move said given one of said specimens along saidpath to said door, for operating said extraction means to remove saidgiven one of said specimens from said holder means and out through thedoor.
 8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said control meanscomprises a computer.
 9. A storage apparatus comprising:housing meansfor defining a storage chamber, said housing means having an accessdoor; holder means in said chamber for supporting a plurality ofspecimens; an enclosure outside of said housing means; extraction meansdisposed outside of said housing means at said door for removing aselectable one of said specimens positioned in said chamber injuxtaposition to said door and inserting the removed one of saidspecimens into said enclosure; and treatment means operatively connectedto said enclosure for adapting to ambient conditions said removed one ofsaid specimens upon placement thereof into said enclosure by saidextraction means.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein saidenclosure is attached to said housing means.
 11. A storage apparatuscomprising:housing means for defining a storage chamber, said housingmeans having an access door; holder means in said chamber for supportinga plurality of specimens; extraction means disposed outside of saidhousing means at said door for removing a selectable one of saidspecimens positioned in said chamber in juxtaposition to said door. 12.The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said verification meansincludes a laser reader for scanning bar codes attached to saidreceptacles.
 13. A storage apparatus comprising:housing means defining astorage chamber; holder means disposed in said chamber for supportingspecimens in said chamber; conveyor means disposed in said chamber andconnected to said holder means for moving specimens in said chamber;insertion and removal means operatively connected to said housing meansfor alternately inserting and removing specimens from said chamber; andcontrol means operatively connected to said insertion and removal meansfor automatically tracking the locations of specimens in said housingmeans and for controlling the insertion and removal of specimens fromsaid chamber.
 14. The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said housingmeans has an access door, further comprising means operatively connectedto said door for alternately opening and closing same, said insertionand removal means including extraction means disposed outside of saidhousing means at said door for removing a selectable one of saidholdermeans in said chamber for supporting a plurality of specimens; conveyormeans for moving said holder means, together with said plurality ofspecimens, in said chamber along a predetermined path including asegment juxtaposed to said door; and extraction means disposed outsideof said housing means at said door for removing a selectable one of saidspecimens positioned in said chamber in juxtaposition to said door bysaid conveyor means.
 15. The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein saidconveyor means moves said specimens along a predetermined path, saidpath including a snaking portion with a plurality of verticallyextending folds, said path including a segment juxtaposed to said door.16. The apparatus defined in claim 13, further comprising meansoperatively connectable to said housing means and said conveyor meansfor removing all of said specimens in a single operation from saidchamber into another storage apparatus.
 17. The apparatus defined inclaim 13, further comprising selection means operatively connected tosaid control means and disposed outside of said housing means forenabling a selection of one of said specimens by an operator.
 18. Theapparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said conveyor means includestransfer means within said storage unit for changing the relativelocations of said specimens.
 19. The apparatus defined in claim 18wherein said control means is operatively connected to said transfermeans for relocating said specimens according to the type of specimen.20. The apparatus defined in claim 13, further comprising output meansoperatively connected to said control means for providing informationfrom said control means regarding said specimens in a formatunderstandable by a human operator.
 21. The apparatus defined in claim13, further comprising marking means in said housing means for markingsaid specimens, or receptacles containing said specimens, with encodedinformation.
 22. A storage system comprising:a plurality of storagefacilities, each said storage facility including:housing means defininga storage chamber; insertion and removal means operatively connected tosaid housing means for alternately inserting and removingspecimen-containing receptacles from said chamber; local control meansat the same location as said housing means and operatively connected tosaid insertion and removal means for automatically tracking thelocations of specimen-containing receptacles in said housing means andfor controlling the insertion and removal of specimen-containingreceptacles from said chamber; and remote control means operativelyconnected to the local control means of each of said storage facilitiesfor monitoring the operations thereof and for cross-checking identitiesof duplicate specimen-containing receptacles in different ones of saidstorage facilities.
 23. The system defined in claim 22 wherein each ofsaid storage facilities further includes verification means at therespective housing means for automatically verifying that the correctreceptacle has been retrieved under the control of the respective localcontrol means, said remote control means having means connected to thelocal control means of each of said storage facilities for receivingverification of a retrieved receptacle and for comparing identities ofreceptacles retrieved substantially simultaneously at different ones ofsaid storage facilities.
 24. The system defined in claim 23 wherein saidverification means includes a laser reader for scanning bar codesattached to the receptacles.
 25. A storage system comprising:a pair ofstorage facilities, each said storage facility including:housing meansdefining a storage chamber; insertion and removal means operativelyconnected to said housing means for alternately inserting and removingspecimen-containing receptacles from said chamber; local control meansat the same location as said housing means and operatively connected tosaid insertion and removal means for automatically tracking thelocations of specimen-containing receptacles in said housing means andfor controlling the insertion and removal of specimen-containingreceptacles from said chamber; and receptacle transfer means operativelyconnected to the housing means of each of said storage facilities and tothe conveyor means of each of said storage facilities for removing allof the specimen-containing receptacles in a single operation from thestorage chamber of one of said storage facilities into the storagechamber of the other of said storage facilities.
 26. The system definedin claim 25 wherein each of said storage facilities further comprisesholder means in said chamber for supporting a plurality ofspecimen-containing receptacles and conveyor means for moving saidholder means, together with said plurality of receptacles, in saidchamber along a predetermined path.
 27. An apparatus for transferringspecimen-containing receptacles from a first storage unit to a secondstorage unit, wherein each of the storage units includes a respectivehousing and specimen conveyor means in said housing for holding amultiplicity of said specimen-containing receptacles and moving saidreceptacles within said housing, said apparatus for transferringcomprising:a transfer housing; closure means for connecting saidtransfer housing to the housing of each of the storage units so thatsaid transfer housing communicates in an essentially air tight mannerwith the housing of each of said storage units; transfer conveyor meansoperatively connectable to the specimen conveyor means of each of saidstorage units for moving predetermined receptacles from one of saidstorage units to the other of said storage units; and means operativelyconnected to said transfer conveyor means for operating same to movesaid predetermined receptacles from said one of said storage units tosaid other of said storage units.
 28. An apparatus for transferringspecimen-containing receptacles from a first storage unit to a secondstorage unit, wherein each of the storage units includes a respectivehousing and specimen conveyor means in said housing for holding amultiplicity of said specimen-containing receptacles and moving saidreceptacles within said housing, said apparatus for transferringcomprising:a transfer housing; closure means for connecting saidtransfer housing to the housing of each of the storage unitsalternately, so that said transfer housing communicates in anessentially air tight manner alternately with the housing of each ofsaid storage units; transfer conveyor means operatively connectablealternately to the specimen conveyor means of each of said storage unitsfor moving predetermined receptacles initially from one of said storageunits and subsequently to the other of said storage units; and meansoperatively connected to said transfer conveyor means for operating sameto move said predetermined receptacles from said one of said storageunits in said transfer housing and subsequently from said transferhousing into said other of said storage units.
 29. A storage apparatuscomprising:housing means for defining a storage chamber, said housingmeans having an access door; holder means for supporting a plurality ofspecimens in said chamber; conveyor means at least partially disposedinside said housing and operatively connected to said holder means formoving a selectable one of said specimens to said door; extraction meansdisposed outside of said housing means at said door for automaticallyremoving said one of said specimens positioned in said chamber injuxtaposition to said door; and selection means outside of said housingmeans for enabling a selection of one of said specimens by an operator.